rv converter/charger-gctid360729

[Guest]

Hi.

Can i install a rv converter/charger on my boat ?

the charger will have 3 stage charging.

[boatworkfl]

andrew 1 wrote:
Hi.

Can i install a rv converter/charger on my boat ?

the charger will have 3 stage charging.

My experience with older boats that have a converter charger is: It will kill your batteries, these models charge on a continous basis.

I do not know about newer models, but why use one, a good charger will charge your batteries and top them off and maintain them.

Does this conv/charger maintain a constant charge or does it know when to turn off?

If off of an RV then you cannot install it in the engine room.

[Guest]

Same experience here. You need a good intelligent charger. And you cannot put anything non-marine in the bilge/engine area of a gas-powered boat.

[Guest]

i was thinking about something like this install in the cabin (saloon) not in the engine compartment

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-converters/inteli-power-9200-converter.htm

http://www.progressivedyn.com/all_in_one_pd4500_1.html

http://www.progressivedyn.com/all_in_one_pd4500_1.html

i like the last one with the distribution panel

[Guest]

interesting article for rv but simillar to marine :

http://www.rvstuff.ca/RVConverters.html

[2850Bounty]

Andrew, what are your needs for the Converter?

If your house load battery bank is sufficient, it will act as an accumulator/buffer, and a good 3 stage smart charger (of the right capacity) should keep up with the 12 vdc demands.

Another thing:

In order for the converter to work, you'll be on S/P or Gen power, in which case, why not operate what you can on a/c current, and spare your O/B 12 vdc system?

You appear to be looking at RV equipment, rather than Marine equipment.

[Guest]

i was thinking about setup my boat like rv.every lights are on 12v,fridge 12/120v,coffe maker 120v,toaster etc.

that`s why i thought about converter/charger.it will charge the battery and from SP i will have the lights etc.

right now i have separate 12v and 120v.the 120 brakers are in the engine compartment(i don`t like it)so i thought to move them inside the cabin.

[Guest]

There seems to be some confusion stemming from the use of the term converter. The term converter is used a lot in the RV world but not much in the marine world; don't know why. All of our marine chargers are converters. A converter is simply a device that converts A/C to D/C at the voltage you desire, as opposed to a inverter that converts D/C to A/C.

In the case of a battery charger, it is just a converter that is big enough to charge batteries AND supply the extra 12VDC loads you typically have on, like some lights. And of course the "smarts" need to be built in to provide at least bulk and float charge voltages, and preferably 3-stage bulk/float/equalize at the right voltage for flooded/gel/AGM batteries.

[2850Bounty]

Andrew, I agree with Mike. That's why I suggested that your house load battery bank will simply act as an accumulator or buffer.

Plus...., are you by chance confusing an Inverter with a Converter????

Inverters change DC current to AC current.

[Guest]

Thank You.i will do as u sugested.

i know the difference of inverter and converter

[Guest]

Mike

now im confused.

the rv converter/charger when pluged to 120v will charge the batteries separate and convert 120v to 12v so the batteries are in sleep (no accesories will take power from batteries) this job will do the converter.

marine 3 stage charger will charge the battery but in the same time accesories (lights,tv,radio etc) will take the power from the battery to operate those accesories.

that`s what is the difference i belive.

[2850Bounty]

Andrew, try this:

Think of any load that would be supplied by your HLBB (house load battery bank)...... let's say it's the FM Radio.

The radio's power is coming from a circuit panel, which is powered from the OEM helm harness, which is powered commonly at/from the engine harness, of which receives power from the "Common" terminal of the MBSS (main battery selector switch).

The Common terminal of the MBSS receives power from the battery bank currently selected.... lets say it's the HLBB, of which would be #2 MBSS terminal.

The #2 terminal has charger lead connected to it in order to charge the HLBB. (same as a direct battery connection... but using the MBSS terminal instead)

When the Charger is ON, it energized terminal #2, which aids any demand that is being placed on the HLBB (remember that the radio is ON).

The charger acts as a Converter in that it's making 12 vdc from 120 vac and aiding the HLBB.

The HLBB is still in the loop, and acts somewhat as an accumulator/buffer for the current being supplied by the Charger.

(you guys correct me and insert a better term)

The radio then sees a nice smooth 12 vdc buffered by the batteries.

If I understand your intention, you are expecting that somehow a "Converter" is going to be connected in a way that circumvents the OEM HLBB system, and takes over independently.

IOW, while on Converter power, these house loads (cabin lights, radio, heater fan, system water pump, etc) will be completely separated from the OEM connection to the O/B HLBB system.

Then when wanting to be back on HLBB power (with no Converter) it somehow switches back!

IMO, that is not feasible nor practical for our Marine scenarios.

[Guest]

i gotcha

thx.

[Guest]

andrew 1 wrote:
Mike

now im confused.

the rv converter/charger when pluged to 120v will charge the batteries separate and convert 120v to 12v so the batteries are in sleep (no accesories will take power from batteries) this job will do the converter.

marine 3 stage charger will charge the battery but in the same time accesories (lights,tv,radio etc) will take the power from the battery to operate those accesories.

that`s what is the difference i belive.

But as long as the charger is providing a float charge greater than the accessory load, what's the difference? The batteries remain on float and the load is supplied by the charger - it's functioning as a converter.

[2850Bounty]

Thank you Mike.... you said what I couldn't quite get to come out right.

He'd be better off to install a good 2 bank Smart Charger, and perhaps two 6 volt CG's in series for the HLBB, and call it good.